Foldable box.



B. F. MOKEAGE, JR.

FOLDABLE BOX.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2. 1913.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

; patina BENJAMIN F. MCKEAGE, ml, or BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK.

roLnaBLE Box.

' To all whom it mag concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAM IN F. Mo- Kmen, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Binghamton, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Foldable Boxes; and.

'I hereby declare that the following is a full,

clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification. This invention is a novel improvement 1n so-called foldable, knockdown or collapsible boxes, made of pliable material, such as pasteboard and the like; and its object is to provide a box which can be economically constructed; Will fold flatly; can be readily erected, and when erected will be strong and stiff and capable of use for various purposes in the art.

The invention will be clearly understood from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a box embodying the invention and the method of making the same.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a view of the box blank prior to folding. Fig. 2 is a view showing the blank foldedand fastened to form a box; such box being collapsed. Fig. 3 is a detail-view showing one inner end of the-box when erected. Fig.4 is a detail section on line 4-4, Fig. 3;

The box comprises bottom,'side and end walls which are all formed from one blank, as indicated in Fig. 1. a The central portion 1 of this blank (which forms the bottom, or top, of-the box) is bounded by scored lines 1* and 1 Adjacent this portion 1 .are the side portions 2, which are divided tion 1 by the scored lines 1 These endportions 3 are of the same width as the side portions 2, but are provided at their outer edges with looking flaps which are divided from the ends 3 by the scored lines 3*. Each locking flap 4 is preferably provided at or near its center line with. oppositely facing tongues 4 which are formed by cutting the flap through along the lines 4, as

. indicated in the drawings.

.At the end of each side member 2 is a reinforcing and corner connecting and looking member 5, which is substantially rectangular in form but narrowingslightly from Specification of Letterslatent.

Patented Feb. 2, rats.

Application filed September 2, 1913. Serial No. 787,687.

the creased line 2" to its outside corner and is entirely separated from the adjacent end portion 3 by cutting the blank along the lines 3; and is divided from the side por-' tion 2 by the creased lines 2*. These corner members 5 are diagonally creased along the lines 5 at approximately an angle of about 45 to the parts 2 and 3 when the blank is extended. o p

After the blank is cut and creased as shown in Fig. 1, the corner members 5 are folded over on the creases 5*; then, the sides 2 are folded over upon the bottom 1 and ends 3 along the creases 1 thisbrings the end portions 5 of the corner members 5 directly over and in line with the ends 3, see Fig. 2. Theneach locking-flap 4 is turned, on the crease 3*, over the adjacent end 3 and the bent portions of the corner members 5 attached to such end. The tongues 4 are then slipped under the ends 5 of the adjacent corn'er members, as indicated in Fig. 2,

and the locking flap is then firmly secured ad1acent these tonguesto the end 3 and the corner members 5 by meansof staples 4, or other suitable fastenings, which connect the locking member 4, parts 5", and

Fig. 2 shows thebox in collapsed or flattened condition ready to be transported. When the box is to be used each end is turned up along the crease 1 while the parts 5 of the corner members 5 are pulled outward and their edges 5 slip under the ends of the locking flap 4; and the parts 5 fold at right angles to the sides2 along the creases 2 This brings the sides and ends of the box into vertical position and they are securely locked in such position by the engagement of the upper edges 5 of the parts 5 under the ends of the locking flap. I ghus utilize the full strength of the locking P the ends of the box. The advantages of this construction are that the tongues 4 which slip under theends 5 of the corner members hold down the inner edge of said locking flap 4'c1ose' against the end of the box and prevent it from bulging out-in the center. "The corner. members 5 when folded do not jam in the crease under the locking] flap but have ample play to facilitate set and of the corner members 5 to brace l ting up the box. The staples, or other fastenings, 4, hold the end member and corner members and locking flap ridigly together at center. The staples or other fastenings 5through the lower edges of the parts 5 secure the corner members 5 tightly to the end of the box and prevent them from slipping and sticking out when the box is set up. By thus fastening the corner members 5 I secure a smooth inside surface in the box so that stock or articles packed in the box can be easily removed, making the box particularly adaptable for packing stationery and other kinds of paper.

I have simply described an open box; if desired a cover therefor may be made in the same manner as the box but sufliciently large to enable it to telescope over the lower portion of the box when set up.

I do not claim broadly a foldable box having integral sides, ends, bottom, and corner members; but

What I claim is:

' l. A blank adapted to form a collapsible folding box comprising a middle portion,

side and end portions integral therewith and adapted to fold. at right angles thereto, an

extension on each end portion adapted to fold upon the inner surface of the said portion, said extensions having diverging slots cut therein, diagonally creased extensions on the side portions extending longitudi nally as far as the end of the end extensions and separated from the ends by slits, the whole blank when laid out preparatory to assembling forming a complete rectangle substantially as described.

2. The herein described foldable box, comprising bottom, side and end members formed integral but divided by scores, diagonally scored foldable corner members formed integral with the side members but divided therefrom by scores and adapted to be bent at right angles thereto and to be folded. over upon the end members, and devices fastening said corner members to the end portions; a locking strip integral with the upper edge of each end member and bent thereover and over the parts of the corner vmembers fastened thereto, each locking member having oppositely projecting integral tongues formed by cutting its lower edge, said tongues being inserted under the adjacent ends of the corner members attached to said end, and fastening devices securing the lapped portion of the locking strip and corner members together and to the end above the tongues.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK M. HAYS.

MCKEAGE, JR. 

